Southland Trailers continues to grow and is modeled after ( or has studied and follows ) some of the most efficient manufacturers on the planet . Like other world class manufacturing facilities , they employ a lean ‘ pull system ’ rather than ‘ batch ’ system manufacturing . “ This allows Southland to be very responsive to our dealers ’ demands , allowing us to quickly supply them with what they need , rather than building huge batches of trailers and limiting our product offerings ,” Ryan said . Southland works closely with their dealers to manage and adjust upcoming orders allowing for changes to be made to production trailers on order in as little as 2.5 weeks before delivery . Ryan explained , “ Rather than hoping our dealers will inventory what we build , we build what they will inventory !” “ With our strategic inventory system , if a dealer needed to change options , such as color , wheels , axles etc ., to satisfy a customer order , we can accommodate those types of requests ”.
The Southland property encompasses 37 acres and more than 300,000 square feet of factory space , where they build all trailer types , from small utility trailers , to flatdeck , gooseneck , dump trailers , cargo trailers and commercial highway transport trailers . “ We utilize every square foot available to maximize the efficiency of each factory ,” Ryan said , “ we have dedicated facilities to each model type as well as an advanced in-house fabrication facility which allows us the advantage to make our parts inhouse , to control cost and quality at every level .” Design and engineering are also in-house where every model of trailer is built with the maximum strength to weight ratio achieved . “ We understand , through building highway transport trailers , that the goal is to maximize the amount of freight transported on each load ,” explained Ryan , “ we engineer efficiency into the trailers , using the correct materials and techniques to make a trailer that allows the owner to increase profit on every load .” The same techniques that are used in the heavy-duty commercial transport trailers is filtered into every trailer Southland makes . “ Our significance in this industry ,” said Ryan , “ is our ability to produce a robust trailer that will outperform and yet have a significantly lower net weight .”
Southland is keen to knit the nearly 400 employees into a family of team members working together to achieve common goals . “ Everyone from management to the newest team member has input into the process ,” Ryan said , “ Continuous improvement is one of our core values , and we believe that everybody should be empowered to have the ability to help create , not only a better product but a better work environment as well .”
Looking forward , Southland Trailers works closely with their dealers in developing new products and new models , including models that are specific to a dealer ’ s geographic and demographic area . The desire to be innovators in bringing new products to market is truly a part of their DNA and is evidenced in some of their already patented designs . Ryan said they love to push the envelope , to work with the dealers and design team , to create industry leading trailers . He continued , “ We are proud of who we are , as a name brand , but also of our family . This is our legacy .”
Ryan tells us that they had an amazing 2022 NATDA Trailer Show experience and they are looking forward to 2023 with even more space to show their products . We look forward to seeing them there ! If you would like more information on the all the products Southland has to offer you can visit www . southlandtrailers . com or contact them at 403-327-8212 and ask for Jess Hansen the Event / Media coordinator to direct inquiries as needed .
www . natda . org NATDA Magazine 35